The Distillerie du Petit Grain opened in 2008 in Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, in the heart of the Haut Languedoc Regional Park, driven by the creative energy of Patricia and Laurent Gaspard, two former teachers with a passion for the science of distillation and local flavors. By choosing an incessant dialogue between tradition and high standards, they have given birth to a micro-distillery where the alchemy is born of respect for local aromatic herbs and fruits, mainly grown organically, and meticulous distillation in a copper still designed by Jean-Louis Stupfler, heated over an open fire to preserve all the aromatic richness. With no previous experience of distillation, the duo have developed an expertise in which every step, from hand-picking the fruit to selecting the toasting core, reveals a rare patience and sensitivity, aimed at producing spirits that are fresh, pure, non-aggressive and deeply respectful of the raw materials.
Inscribed in a philosophy of seasonality, Distillerie du Petit Grain's cuvées reveal a remarkable diversity, starting with the varietal eaux-de-vie. Fine de Carignan expresses the spicy generosity of this historic Languedoc grape variety, while Fine de Muscat reveals a floral, acidulous and delicate character. These first creations lay the foundations for the dialogue between viticulture and distillation.
Their Esprit Vigneron collection takes the idea a step further, using grape marcs from carefully selected wine estates. Marc Grains d'Ambre, made from Muscat à Petits Grains pomace from Domaine Montahuc and Vignoble du Loup Blanc, captures the soul of Saint Jean de Minervois. Citrus, rose, vanilla and exotic fruits give structure to a refined eau-de-vie, visibly conceived in close collaboration with the winemakers of our wine estates. Marc Esprit Vigneron follows in this tradition, highlighting Domaine Danjou-Banessy's Muscat d'Alexandrie and faithfully sublimating the grape's atypical aromatic complexity.
Their range of gins, meanwhile, perfectly illustrates their approach to the landscape, deeply rooted in the Languedoc region. Gin aux Agrumes is a blend of juniper berries, Sichuan and Timut peppers, and citrus fruits from the garden of Michelin-starred chef Christophe Comes in Perpignan. Low distillation enhances the freshness of these citrus fruits against the serene background of juniper. Gin Bigarades showcases the diversity of Mediterranean bitter oranges, enriched by a delicate woodiness of resinous buds and Vietnamese pepper. It is full-bodied, rich and elegantly spicy on the palate. Gin de Sève et de Fleurs, created from April harvests, is a hymn to the local spring: thyme, lavender, fennel, pistachio, regenerated each year, combined with a touch of galanga for a balance between floral sweetness and resinous freshness. Finally, the more exclusive and sophisticated Gin Caviar completes the range, layering juniper berries, rare citrus fruits and lemon caviar for a gastronomic experience between freshness and depth.
Every step of the way, Patricia and Laurent Gaspard have opted for local, responsible production, rejecting uniformity in favor of the singularity of limited batches. Distillerie du Petit Grain's spirits all tell an authentic story, rooted in the Languedoc region and crafted with passion and precision.
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